Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
I leaned in and watched as the camera filtered through four specific locations. I could see the small office, the tiny lot with six lackluster cars, and the side alley. I didn’t see anything unusual, so I asked, “What am I looking at?”
“The camera on the corner of the old Shell station across the street.” Big pointed to the camera as he told me, “Maybe it's just me, but doesn’t that camera look relatively new.”
“Yeah, it does.”
“So, why would someone put up a camera on a place that has been closed for years?”
“Might belong to someone in the area.”
“But who?” He motioned his hand towards the map as he said, “It’s just this place and the old car lot on the entire block, and you saw for yourself that it’s not on the car lot feed.”
“And there’s nothing else in that area?”
“Just the Grave’s farm, and there’s no way his tight ass is gonna pay for a security system.” After a few clicks of the keyboard, Big brought up another screen. “There’s another one just like it on Johnsonville Corner on the backside of the old schoolhouse.”
“Seriously?” The schoolhouse had been abandoned for years, and as far as I knew, there wasn’t another residence or business for miles—at least, none that were habitable. Thinking there must be some mistake, I leaned in for a closer look. “But why have a camera out there? There’s nothing around for miles.”
“Exactly.”
“Should we check them out?”
“Grab your coat.”
I gave him a nod, then rushed to my room. By the time I made it outside, Big was in his truck waiting for me, and if his expression was any indication, he was eager to get going. I jumped inside with him, and seconds later, we were speeding towards the old Shell station.
When we pulled up, there was no one in sight. Even the car lot across the street seemed deserted—or so we thought. We’d just gotten out of the truck and were making our way to the rear of the station when I heard someone shout, “Can I help you boys with something?”
We both stopped and turned to find a man walking in our direction. He was an older guy, well into his late sixties, and he was wearing a suit that looked to be just as old. Big grumbled a curse under his breath, then held up his hand and waved, “Hey there, Charlie. How ya doing?”
“Can’t complain.” He continued across the street, and as soon as he made his way over to Big, he extended his hand and said, “Good to see ya, Mike.”
“How are things at the lot?”
“Been slow, but they always are when it’s this damn cold out.”
“Yeah, I imagine it could put a real damper on things.”
“It definitely does.” He motioned his head towards the station as he asked, “So, what brings you two out here?”
“Just checking out the place.”
Mr. Davenport’s face lit up as he asked, “You thinking about buying 'cause I bet Dale will give you a real good deal on the place.”
“No, I don’t think I’m up for making that kind of investment.”
“You sure about that? I bet you and those brothers of yours could make a real go of the place.”
“Maybe.” Big dragged his teeth over his bottom lip, then motioned his hand over to the corner of the building. “Dale got security on the place?”
“Nah.” Mr. Davenport shook his head as he snickered, “That’d cost him a pretty penny, and like most folks around here, he’s got a pretty tight grip on his wallet.”
“If it’s not his, then whose is it?”
“I just figured it was one of the city cameras or something. Not even sure the damn thing works.”
I could see the red power light blinking on the side of the camera, so I was quick to interject, “It works.”
“Well, I got no idea why anyone would be watching this old place. Nothing of value here.” The words had barely left his mouth when he immediately started backpedaling. “Not that it couldn’t hold value. The right person could turn it into a gold mine.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Big blew him off. “So, you don’t know anything about the camera.”
“Can’t say that I do.”
“Hmm.” Big glanced over at me, then said, “See if the serial number is still on it.”
“You got it.”
I walked over to the camera and quickly discovered that it was too high for me to see anything. I needed something to stand on, so I gathered a couple of old tires that were propped against the building and stacked them on top of one another. Once I had them secure, I climbed on top and eased on my tiptoes, stretching as tall as I could in hopes of spotting the serial number. As soon as I found it, I pulled out my camera and took a quick picture.